Waste and overflow connection



May 29, 192s.

INVENTO W. A. SPEAKMAN WASTE AND OVERFLOW CONNECTION Flled Aug 7, 1926 Patented May 29, 1928.

UNITED STATES j ,1,671,134 rariezNT` OFFICE.

WILLARD ALLEN SPEAKMAN, OF WILMINGTON7 DELAWARE, ASSIGNOR TO SPEAKMAN COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION VOF DELA'W'ARE.

TASTE AND OVERFLOW CONNECTION.

The'general objecto the present invention is to provide an improved waste and overflow connection for a bath tub or other lavatory receptacle, which is so mounted as to render the overflow and waste piping inaccessible. More speciiically, the object of my present invention is to provide a bath tub or other receptacle with av waste and overflow connection having desirable sanitary characteristics and comprising a vwaste valve and operating mechanism `for the latter which passes through the overflow connection, is simple in construction, effective in operation7 andcomprises provisions for readily effecting such adjustments as may be required, notwithstanding the fact that the waste and overflow piping is so located as to be permanently inaccessible.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding; of the invention,

however, its advantages and specific objects attained with its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention. j'

Of the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical section of the fixture applied to a built-in bath tub;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the overiow strainer;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the outlet strainer; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a modification of the adjusting means.

In the drawings A representsa so-called built-in bathtub set against the bathroom wall B so as to permanently enclose the bath overiiow and waste piping. Located in the bottom of the tub A, and adjacent the end .having a knob E* at its top and a lower wall A of the latter is a waste outlet opening A2. Located in and near the top of the end wall A is an overflow7 outlet opening A3. A verticaloverflow pipe'C is arranged between the tub end wall A and the room wall B and is secured at its upper end to an elbow C2, and at its lower end to a T C3. The elbow C2 is connected by a threaded connection to a sleeve C4 secured'in the overow opening A3. A horizontal waste pipe C5 located below the loor line is connected at one end to the T C3, and at the other end to an elbow CG, in threaded engagement with a sleeve C?, passing through the waste outlet opening A2. An outlet pipe C8 for the waste and overflow is slipped into Athe lower end of the vertical T` C3. The pipe joints are providedwherever necessary with suitable packing provisions shown as of usual the sleeve CT and are connected at the base vby an annular ring D4 adapted orengagement by a subjacent portion of the valve operating mechanism when the ,valve is be raised into its open position.

The waste valve operating mechanism comprises an L-shaped rod located in the L-shaped portion of the waste and overflow piping formed bythe pipes C andC, TC, and elbowl CG. .The l.vertical andhorizontal arms E and E2 the L-shaped rod are con- -nected-by -ran integral rounded heel portion .-.Ewhieh projects to the rear of the vertical `arinE and forms a guide bearing against the rear vertical wall of the T C3 and serving to hold the vertical arm E in a more or less central position. in the pipe C. The arm E2 passes beneath the ring portion D4 of the valve D,-and has its free end received in and guided by the vertical walls of a narrow vertically disposed recess C10 formed in the elbow C6 at the opposite side of the valve D from the T C3.

The upper end `of the arm E is connected to a vertically movable handle located in front of the end'L wall A of the bath tub handle portion E8.

have their inner ends projecting into a circumterential groove formed in the part E7 thereby permitting the handle to be rotated relative to the bushing E7, whilepreventing relative movements of the knob and bushing in the directionottheir common axis. A set screw E11 is provided, as shown, for normally holding the bushing E? against rotative movement relative tothe member E5.

The body portion EB ofv the handle is movably received in a tubular guide portion F5 of a member F detachably secured to the bathtub as by means of screws F3 tappedV into the out-turned front flange of the sleeve C4. Preferably, and as shown, the part F comprises an aperture'd portion F forming a ystrainer in front of the passage through the sleeve C4.V As shown, vertical slots F4 are formed in the wall of the cylindrical passage formed in the member F for the body portion E8. The slots F 4 receive the heads of the bolts ED when the valve D is closed, but when the knob `E4 is lifted to move the valve D into its `'fully open posi-` tion, the heads of the bolts are lii'ted above the part F and the knob may then be rotated to swing the bolt heads out of register withthe slots F 4, so that the heads of the bolts ED may then rest on the top of the guide F and thereby hold the valve D in its Wide open position.

A strainer F2 is provided for the waste outlet opening A2.` As shown, the strainer F2 comprises finger-like portions, the lower ends of which are out-turned and'may be sprung into a groove C10 formed in the upper end of the sleeve member C, to thereby detachably secure the strainer F in place.

The closed position of the valve D, and the corresponding position ott its operating mechanism are shown by the full lines in F ig. l. When it is desired to open the valve, the4 knob E4 is raised to the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig.` 1 where the bolt heads E9 are above the slots F4. The knob is turned to allow the bolt heads to rest on the handle guide F5, The vertical movement of the knob raises the valve operating rod and through the arm E2 ot the latter lifts the valve D into its open position allowing the fluid contents oit the tub A' to How through the valve opening and the pipe C5 to the outlet pipe C8; The end of the arm E2 is guided in its vertical movement by the inthe vertical slots and the operating mechanism is pushed down or drops by gravity to its normal position. The valve D returns to its normal closed position by gravity.

` In apreterred modeof assembling the apparatus, the rod .Q2 is passed through the T Cand the pipes C and (l5 are then secured to the T C3. The rod 'E5 thcncoupled by the sleeve E to the upper end of the arm E. After this the elbows@2 andl C, secured to the pipes C and C5, are anchored against the tub A by scrcwing the sleeves C4 and C7, respectively, into place. The part F is next slipped over the threaded end ofE" and` dropped down until the bottom of the guide portion F5 of the member F rests on the horizontal portionoi the part E5. The bushing E7 is then screwed onto the upper end of the part E5 to the proper distance which is y that which insures the wide open position of the valve D when the vheads oit the bolts ED are resting on the upper end of the guide part F5, and which will insure a slight clearance between the valve ring portion DIl and the arm E2 in the valve closed position ol the parts.

After the effect-ive length oi the valve operating member is thus adjusted, the setl screw E is tightened to prevent the parts from working out of adjustment., Ordinarily the length ou thevalve operating me1nber will-be initially adjusted or readjusted if necessary with the bolts E9 loosened so that the handler isdisconnectcd from the bushing E7. Y Y

The Waste and overflow piping required we y with the present invention may be of stand# ard construction, except for .the guide slot C10 in the elbow C6.V The waste valve and its operating mechanism are obviously simple in construction and reliable in operation, and the inaccessible portion of the valve operating member is oit such a character and so disposedthat there practically nov possibility of its breaking or becoming inopera tive. In particular it can readily be made `so strong as to avoid all reasonable possibilv wall of the T CS, engaged by the heel portion E3, serves a fulcruln, so that the lateral elasticity of both arms E and E2 may bew utilized in absorbing the excessive pullen the handle knob. i

The overtiow and Waste connection as a whole is of a highly desirable 'orm from the sanitary standpoint. The location of the waste valve permits it to be readily cleaned i under ordinary conditions of'use, such as may 'occur withl a waste valve engaging a seat in the outlet `piping at some 'distance from the waste outlet opening of the tub.

' The form and disposition of the waste valve operating member are such as to minimize the tendency of waste solids to accumulate in the waste or overflow piping. A" desir- Iable characteristic of the valve operating mechanism is the location of the handle knob E* above the overflow outlet-A3, and thereby above thev maximum water level in the tub, so that the handle knob is visible at all times, and cannot become fouled by scum fioating on the water in the bathtub. y The presence of such scum on the valve operating handle knob would interfere with the operation of the valve and be otherwise objectionable.

In Fig. 4 is shown a modified forni of an adjustable connection between the rod Ek and handle knob E4. The connection shown in Fig. 4i comprises an L-sliaped part E50 having a depending leg with a threaded socket into which the upper end of the arm E is screwed. The free end of the other leg of the part E50 hasjournaled in it a nut H through which va vertically adjustable bolt H2 is threaded. The bolt H2 at its upper end is screw threaded into the body part ESO of the handle, and is held in position therein by a set sciew E11. The adjustments of the valve operating means shown in Fig. 4t are obtained by moving the y nut H up or down on the bolt H2. H3 is a lock nut for securing the parts in any desired adjustment. L

While in accordance with the' provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without depaiting'from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims and that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to ad-r vantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, what l desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l.. The combination with a lavatory re` valve when raised and lowered, and having ka vertical portion at' its upper end, and a stationary guide for said vertical portion.

2. rfhe coni'bination with a lavatory receptac-le 'having a bottom waste outlet and a lateral overflow outlet, ofv a r waste and overflowv connection co'inprising a vertical pipe with a lateral connection at its upper end to said overflow outlet and ar horizontal pipe connected to said waste outlet and to said vertical pipeka valve controlling flow through said waste outlet, a rigid operating member extending through said overflow outlet into said pipesl and adaptedto operate said' valve when rai-sed andfloweretha handle and anV adjustable connection between said handle and the upper end of said ineinbei accessible for adjustment at the inner side of said receptacle. Y

3. The combination with a lavatory receptacle having ay bottom waste outlet and a lateral overflow outlet, of a waste and overflow connection comprising a. vertical pipe with a' lateral connection at its upper end to said overflow outlet and a horizontal pipe connected to said waste outlet and to said vertical pipe, a valve controlling flow through said waste outlet, a rigid operating member extending through said overflow outlet into said pipes and adapted to operate said valve when raised and lowered, said member having a vertical portion at its upper end, a guide member having a vertical groove and secured to said receptacle, a handle vertically movable in said guide inember and 'having a lug arranged to move in the vertical groove of said member, and a swivel connection with the vertical portion of said operating member and said handle. l. The combinationwith a lavatory receptacle having a bottom waste outlet and a lateral overflow outlet, of a waste and overflow connection comprising a vertical pipe connected at its upper end to said overflow outlet and a horizontal pipe connected to said waste outlet and to said vertical pipe, a

lll() valve controlling fiow through said waste outlet, a-rigid val vc operating member having a vertical portion in said vertical pipe and a lower horizontal portion in said horizontal pipe adapted to operate said valve when raised and lowered, and vertical guide surfaces for the free end of the horizontal portion of said operating member.

5. The combination with a lavatory receptacle having a bottom waste outlet and an upper overflow outlet, of a waste and overflow connection comprising a vertical pipe with a connection at its upper end to said overflow outlet, a T connected to the lower end oisaid vertical pipe and a horizontal piping. connected to said waste outlet and to said T, a valve controlling the flow through said waste outlet, and a rigid valve operating member comprising a vertical portion in said `vertical pipe, a horizontal portion in said horizontal piping and a rounded heel portion connectingl said vertical and horizontal portions and adapted to slide along und be guided by the Vertical wall of smid T remote -from :said waste outlet, and VVertical guiding means in said horizontal piping` for the free end of the horizontal portion of' smid member. y

6. The combination with a lavatory receptaele having` :i bottom waste outlet and an upper overflow outlet, of a waste and overflow vconnection conijnrising a Vertical pipe connected at its upper end to said overflow outlet, a horizontal pipe connected` at one end to the lower end of said vertical pipe, an

elbow fitting connecting the Aother end of the horizontal pipe to the waste outlet, a valve controllingr the iow through said waste outlet, and a rigid Valve operating` nieniber comprising a vertical portion in said vertical pipe and :i horizontal portion in said horizontzll pipe, said elbow litting being 'formed with n narrow Vertical guideway receiving the `tree end of the horizontal portion of said member, and located at the opposite eide of Said waste-Valve' outlet from said vertical pipe. i i

Signed at lVihnington, in the county of New Castle, and Stute of Delawmethis 41th day of August` A. D.` 1926.

`VVILLARD ALLEN SPEAK-MAN. 

